What is a Herxheimer Reaction?
The Herxheimer Reaction is a short term (weeks to a month) detoxification reaction that indicates that parasites, unfit (candida), viruses, bacteria, and/or other pathogens are being effectively killed off.
As a result of this, you may experience flu-like symptoms including a headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches’. sore throat, excessive sweating, chills, nausea, and above all: things will get worse before they get better.
Why does this happen?
The Herxheimer Reaction is an immune system reaction to the toxins (endotoxins) that are released when large amounts of pathogens are being killed off, and the body does not eliminate the toxins quickly enough.
Simply stated, it is a reaction that occurs when the body is detoxifying and the released toxins either exacerbate the symptoms being treated or create their own symtpoms.
The important thing to note is that worsening symptoms do not indicate failure of the treatment in question, in fact usually just the opposite.
What if I don’t experience a Herxheimer Reaction?
Herx reactions vary widely depending on many factors, including the general health of the individual, the condition being treated, the degree of toxicity that exists in the body, the frequency and dosage of the supplement being taken, and the support the body is provided in eliminating the toxins as rapidly as possible.
How can I cope with this type of reaction?
If the reaction is mild enough that it can be withstood without grave discomfort, the best approach is to continue treatment and assist the body in eliminating the toxins as quickly and as thoroughly as possible by the methods below:
- Get plenty of sunshine (if you’re somewhere without enough sunshine, try taking a vitamin D supplement like this one)
- Minimize exercise for the detox period
- Keep the organs of elimination (bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys, and lymph nodes) functioning properly by staying hydrated and eating fresh, clean foods
- Drybrush your skin before bathing
- Keep the diet relatively pure during the detox period so that the body is not loaded with additional chemicals and toxins to eliminate while it’s already working hard
- Add fresh lemon (and/or ginger, mint, cucumber) to your water daily
- Take a teaspoon of cold pressed olive oil first thing in the morning while your detoxing
- Try drinking fresh juices made with fruits and vegetables (I swear by this juicer, it’s easy for kids to use, too!)
- Take a detox bath with magnesium flakes
- Try a sauna (you can find some effective but cheap ones on Amazon)
If the reaction is too severe, cutting back on the dosage or frequency of use can be very helpful in lessening symptoms but allowing the healing process to continue. Sometimes stopping for a day or so and the beginning again at a lesser dosage can allow for quick relief.
The best assistance for the body, overall, is drinking plenty of distilled water (a half a gallon a day is recommended).
